Slab City Film Festival

A presentation by The [Collective] at the Farnsworth In collaboration with the Camden International Film Festival

The Farnsworth, in collaboration with CIFF, kicks off the summer with food trucks available for dinner, café seating in the Rockport Opera House, cash bar provided by Threshers, and films by former Lincolnville resident and artist, Rudy Burckhardt. Well regarded as an avant-garde filmmaker, the four Burckhardt works on tap are considered some of his most important films. Made in the 1960s and 1970s in collaboration with his New York City artist friends from midcoast Maine, the cast and crew include Edwin Denby, Rackstraw Downes, Red Grooms, Mimi Gross, Yvonne Jacquette, Alex Katz, and Neil Welliver. These same artists are highlighted in the Farnsworth Art Museum’s current exhibition Slab City Rendezvous (through February 9, 2020). Panel discussion to follow including Jacob Burckhardt, son and filmmaker; Diane O’Neill, local historian; and others. Trucks, doors, and bar open at 5:00. Films begin at 6:00.

The film screenings will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Slab City Rendezvous co-curator Susan Danly.

Well-regarded as an avant-garde filmmaker, the Rudy Burckhardt works on tap for June 4 are considered some of his most important films. Made in the 1960s and 1970s the five films are:

• Shoot the Moon (1962, 24 minutes, black and white)
  A humorous look at the dawn of the Space Age. Collaboration with Red Grooms and Mimi Gross. With Rudy Burckhardt, Edwin Denby, Yvonne Jacquette, and Alex Katz. Music by Seymour Barab.
• Lurk (1964, 36 minutes, black and white)
  A zany, Frankenstein-like story. With Edwin Denby, Red Grooms, and Mimi Gross. Music selected by Frank O’Hara.
• The Cowgirl (1976, 25 minutes, color)
  With Brooke Alderson, Rudy Burckhardt, Edwin Denby, Rackstraw Downes, Ada Katz, Peter Schjeldahl, and Neil Welliver. Music by Vincent Katz.
• Slipperella (1973, 12 minutes, color)
  A whimsical fairy tale about a pair of moccasins that take off on their own, through woods and fields into the town of Belfast, Maine. With Brooke Alderson.
• Windmill for Polly by Jacob Burckhardt (6 minutes, 40 seconds)
  A short contemplation on late autumn in Maine, mortality, windmills, and the music of Indian painter and musician Mohan Samant. Shot in Lincolnville, Maine, at Neil Welliver’s place.

The Lead Sponsor of the Farnsworth exhibition Slab City Rendezvous is Camden National Bank and Edith F. Dixon. This exhibition is made possible thanks in part to the generous support of the Arete Foundation.

Cost: $15; $10 for Farnsworth members